While scientists work to increase the efficiency[1] of photovoltaics, designers are striving to make them sleeker, more adaptive, and easier to install. Case in point: SRS Energy’s Solé Power Tile[2], a beautiful solar shingle[3] that is designed to fit into standard Mission style roofs while generating electricity. We caught up with these ingenious modular solar panels at West Coast Green[4] this year, where they stole the show alongside several other innovative solar designs.

SRS Energy’s Solé Power Tiles[2] are electricity-generating panels that are designed to be easily integrated with US Tile[5]‘s curved clay tiles, which have been Cradle-to-Cradle certified[6], which is frankly awesome. Due to their modular nature these thin-film[7] panels are easy to pop in, and homeowners can choose whether they’d like their whole roof clad in solar panels or only a strategic sun-facing portion. Few non-believers will be able to use the ‘ugly roof’ argument anymore.

Another new solar design showcased at West Coast Green[4] was Armageddon Energy’s[8] ‘snap-in’ hexagonal photovoltaic panel. This self-contained solar set is light and easy to set up, making installing solar more like dropping in a dishwasher than doing a full kitchen remodel. Each panel is made up of three 10-12 pound silicon hexagonal panels and a micro inverter (significantly lighter than standard panels). They are planning on launching this easy-to-install PV system in about 8 months at $6 a watt. By making solar safer and easier for everyone they are pushing the much needed design side improvments that are needed to make solar electricity the norm.